U.S. patent application number 16/679416 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-14 for non-transitory computer-readable medium including figure data generation program.
The applicant listed for this patent is DGSHAPE Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshimitsu ASAHINA, Makoto YOSHIDA.
Application Number | 20200151929 16/679416 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70551927 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200151929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOSHIDA; Makoto ; et
al. |
May 14, 2020 |
NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM INCLUDING FIGURE DATA
GENERATION PROGRAM
Abstract
A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a figure data
generation program to cause a computer to execute a first process
of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an intended figure, a
second process of commanding a processor to draw the intended
figure on a surface of a workpiece to project a visible light onto
a predetermined position on the surface, the processor including a
visible-light source, the predetermined position having been
designated by a user, and a third process of presenting a position
corresponding to the predetermined position in the drawing
screen.
Inventors: |
YOSHIDA; Makoto;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; ASAHINA; Yoshimitsu;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DGSHAPE Corporation |
Hamamatsu-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
70551927 |
Appl. No.: |
16/679416 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 11/203 20130101;
G06T 11/60 20130101; G05B 19/4097 20130101; G05B 2219/35012
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06T 11/60 20060101
G06T011/60; G05B 19/4097 20060101 G05B019/4097; G06T 11/20 20060101
G06T011/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 14, 2018 |
JP |
2018-214157 |
Claims
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a figure
data generation program to cause a computer to execute: a first
process of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an intended
figure; a second process of commanding a processor to draw the
intended figure on a surface of a workpiece to project a visible
light onto a predetermined position on the surface, the processor
including a visible-light source, the predetermined position having
been designated by a user; and a third process of presenting a
position corresponding to the predetermined position in the drawing
screen.
2. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a figure
data generation program to cause a computer to execute: a first
process of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an intended
figure; a fourth process of detecting a predetermined position in
the drawing screen, the predetermined position having been
designated by a user; and a fifth process of commanding a processor
to draw the intended figure on a surface of a workpiece to project
a visible light onto a position corresponding to the predetermined
position, on the surface, the processor including a visible-light
source.
3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a figure
data generation program to cause a computer to execute: a first
process of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an intended
figure; a second process of commanding a processor to draw the
intended figure on a surface of a workpiece to project a visible
light onto a predetermined position on the surface, the processor
including a visible-light source, the predetermined position having
been designated by a user; a third process of presenting a position
corresponding to the predetermined position on the surface, in the
drawing screen; a fourth process of detecting a predetermined
position in the drawing screen, the predetermined position having
been designated by a user; and a fifth process of commanding the
processor to project a visible light onto a position corresponding
to the predetermined position in the drawing screen, on the
surface.
4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium including the figure
data generation program according to claim 1, to cause the
computer, before the intended figure is drawn on a surface of the
workpiece by the processor, to execute: a sixth process of
commanding the processor to make a machining preview of at least a
part of the intended figure, by projecting a visible light onto a
position at which at least a part of the intended figure is
drawn.
5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium including the figure
data generation program according to claim 2, to cause the
computer, before the intended figure is drawn on a surface of the
workpiece by the processor, to execute: a sixth process of
commanding the processor to make a machining preview of at least a
part of the intended figure, by projecting a visible light onto a
position at which at least a part of the intended figure is
drawn.
6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium including the figure
data generation program according to claim 3, to cause the
computer, before the intended figure is drawn on a surface of the
workpiece by the processor, to execute: a sixth process of
commanding the processor to make a machining preview of at least a
part of the intended figure, by projecting a visible light onto a
position at which at least a part of the intended figure is drawn.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese
Patent Application No. 2018-214157 filed on Nov. 14, 2018. The
entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a non-transitory
computer-readable medium including figure data generation
programs.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Machining systems including a machining device and a
computer are known. The machining device is for machining a surface
of a workpiece to draw, for example, a figure. A user makes/edits a
figure that is drawn, on a drawing screen displayed on a display
device of the computer. The machining device performs machining
based on a figure data corresponding to the figure that has been
made/edited. In such machining devices, a technique of making, in
advance, a presentation of a machining area on the surface before
the machining is performed is known.
[0004] For example, a machining device that makes a display of a
machining area by projecting a beam or beams of visible light using
a laser pointer before machining a surface of the workpiece is
disclosed in a document (retrieved on Oct. 11, 2018 from the
Internet at: http://www.seaforce.co.jp/pdf/magic_catalog2015.pdf)
by Sea Force CO., Ltd.
[0005] However, in conventional machining systems, it is impossible
to understand correspondences between positions on a drawing screen
and positions on a surface or surfaces of each workpiece. Thus, for
example, it is difficult to draw a figure that has been made on the
drawing screen, at a desired position or in a desired area on the
surface of the workpiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide
non-transitory computer-readable media each including a figure data
generation program with which correspondences between positions on
a drawing screen and positions on a surface of a workpiece are able
to be understood.
[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a
figure data generation program to cause a computer to execute a
first process of displaying a drawing screen to make/edit an
intended figure; a second process of commanding a machining device
to draw the intended figure on a surface of a workpiece to project
a visible light onto a predetermined position on the surface, the
machining device having a visible-light source, the predetermined
position having been designated by a user; and a third process of
presenting a position corresponding to the predetermined position
in the drawing screen. Other features and preferred embodiments of
the present invention are disclosed in the description of the
present specification.
[0008] According to preferred embodiments of the present invention,
it is possible to understand correspondences between positions on
the drawing screen to make/edit a figure that is drawn on a surface
of a workpiece and positions on that surface.
[0009] The above and other elements, features, steps,
characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a machining
system and a CAM system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a second process
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the second process
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining a third process
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining a fourth process
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining a fifth process
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining figure information
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a machining method
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a machining system 100 and a CAM
system 200. A machining method according to this preferred
embodiment can be performed by the machining system 100 and the CAM
system 200.
[0030] The machining system 100 includes a processor 1, an
operation panel 2, and a computer 3. The machining system 100,
however, may include the processor 1 and the operation panel 2 when
the functions of the computer 3 are achieved by the processor
1.
[0031] The processor 1 is configured or programmed to draw an
intended figure on a surface of a workpiece S by cutting the
surface with a machining tool T along a machining path. The
processor 1 is configured or programmed to include a grasp unit 10,
a visible-light source 20, a holding unit 30, and a drive mechanism
40. The grasp unit 10 grasps the machining tool T used for cutting.
The visible-light source 20 projects a beam or beams of visible
light onto a surface of the workpiece S. As the visible-light
source 20, for example, a laser pointer can be used. The holding
unit 30 holds the workpiece S. The drive mechanism 40 moves,
three-dimensionally, at least one of the grasp unit 10, the
visible-light source 20, and the holding unit 30.
[0032] The operation panel 2 is used to enter command inputs to the
processor 1 and the computer 3. The operation panel 2 is provided
with a display D and multiple buttons B. In the example shown in
FIG. 1, eight buttons B are shown. The number of the buttons B is
not limited thereto. In addition, in place of some of the buttons
B, for example, a jog dial may be provided.
[0033] In this preferred embodiment, the visible-light source 20
operates based on command input from the operation panel 2. The
operation of the visible-light source 20 means movement of the
visible-light source 20 relative to the holding unit 30, outputs of
visible light, or the like.
[0034] The computer 3 controls operations of the processor 1. The
computer 3 includes a display device 3a such as a display, and an
input device 3b such as a keyboard or a mouse.
[0035] The computer 3 in this preferred embodiment has a figure
data generation program that is pre-installed thereon. The figure
data generation program is used in generating figure data that is
drawn on a surface of the workpiece S (detailed are described
later).
[0036] The CAM system 200 is used to generate machining path data.
The machining path data are used to draw an intended figure by
machining a surface of the workpiece S. Each of the machining path
data includes multiple point data. Each of the point data has
two-dimensional (x- and y-) coordinates. The two-dimensional (x-
and y-) coordinates represent coordinates on a machining path.
[0037] In the case that a figure is drawn on a surface of a
material using the processor 1, a user makes, in advance, a figure
that is drawn. A figure data generation program according to this
preferred embodiment is executed by the computer 3 at that time. In
this preferred embodiment, the figure data generation program
causes the computer 3 to execute first to fifth processes.
[0038] The first process is used to display a drawing screen to
make/edit intended figures.
[0039] For example, the user gives a command to display the drawing
screen via the input device 3b. In response to this command, the
computer 3 executes the figure data generation program. First, the
computer 3 retrieves image data for the drawing screen which is
stored in a memory (not shown) and displays the drawing screen on
the display device 3a. The user can make/edit an intended figure on
the drawing screen via the input device 3b.
[0040] The second process is used to command the processor 1 to
project a beam of visible light onto a predetermined position on a
surface of the workpiece S which has been designated by the
user.
[0041] In making/editing a figure, the user may want to understand
where on the drawing screen a certain position on the surface of
the workpiece S is located.
[0042] In this case, the user designates a single point on the
workpiece S via the operation panel 2. Specifically, the user
designates certain coordinates via the operation panel 2. In this
case, the computer 3 executes the second process. That is, the
computer 3 identifies a predetermined position Ps (see FIG. 2)
corresponding to the designated coordinates. Then, the computer 3
commands the processor 1 to project a beam of visible light onto
the predetermined position Ps on the surface of the workpiece S.
Based on the command from the computer 3, the processor 1 moves at
least one of the visible-light source 20 and the holding unit 30
and projects a beam of visible light onto the predetermined
position Ps (see FIG. 3A).
[0043] The third process is used to present a position
corresponding to the predetermined position in the drawing
screen.
[0044] After the beam of visible light is projected onto the
predetermined position Ps on the surface of the workpiece S in the
second process, the computer 3 executes the third process. That is,
the computer 3 identifies a position on a drawing screen 3c
corresponding to the predetermined position Ps. Then, the computer
3 allows the identified position Pc to be presented on the drawing
screen 3c (see FIG. 3B). In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the
position Pc is presented with a diamond shape.
[0045] The fourth process is used to detect the predetermined
position on the drawing screen which has been designated by the
user.
[0046] In making/editing a figure, the user may want to understand
where on the surface of the workpiece S a certain position on the
drawing screen 3c is located.
[0047] In this case, the user designates a single point on the
drawing screen 3c via the operation panel 2. Specifically, the user
designates a single point (position Pc) on a star shape F that has
been made, by moving a cursor 3d across the drawing screen 3c via
the operation panel 2 (see FIG. 4A). In this case, the computer 3
executes the fourth process. That is, the computer 3 detects the
predetermined position Pc that has been designated. The
predetermined position Pc is detected as coordinates in the drawing
screen 3c.
[0048] The fifth process is used to command the processor 1 to
project a beam of visible light onto a position corresponding to
the predetermined position, on the surface of the workpiece.
[0049] In the case that the position Pc on the drawing screen 3c is
detected in the fourth process, the computer 3 executes the fifth
process. That is, the computer 3 identifies a position Ps on the
surface of the workpiece S which corresponds to the designated
position Pc. The computer 3 then commands the processor 1 to
project a beam of visible light onto the position Ps on the surface
of the workpiece S. Based on the command from the computer 3, the
processor 1 moves, three-dimensionally, at least one of the
visible-light source 20 and the holding unit 30 and projects a beam
of visible light onto the predetermined position Ps (see FIG.
4B).
[0050] In response to a command input from the user, the computer 3
executes the figure data generation program and appropriately
executes the first to fifth processes.
[0051] The above-mentioned preferred embodiment has been described
in terms of a case where the figure data generation program causes
the computer 3 to execute the first to fifth processes. The figure
data generation program may, however, be provided as the one that
executes some of the processes. Specifically, the figure data
generation program may be a program that executes the first to
third processes. Alternatively, the figure data generation program
may be a program that executes the first, fourth, and fifth
processes.
[0052] In the case that the user ends his making/editing a figure,
the computer 3 acquires a figure data. Each figure data represents
an intended figure that is to be drawn on a surface of the
workpiece S. Examples of the intended figure include a character, a
shape, a symbol and so on or any combinations of two or more of
them.
[0053] The figure data includes figure information. The figure
information is set for each of the figures included in the intended
figure. As shown in FIG. 5, each figure information includes kind
information and attribute information. The kind information and
attribute information are associated with each other. The kind
information is, for example, a character string, a shape, a symbol
or the like.
[0054] When the kind information is a character string, information
representing, for example, "character string ID," "position at
which the character string is drawn," "size," "orientation,"
"font," "thickness of each character," and "with or without fill"
belong to the attribute information associated with that kind
information. The character string ID is an identifier to specify a
character string that should be drawn. The character string ID may
be a character string which is the same as the character string
that is to be drawn.
[0055] When the kind information is a shape, information
representing, for example, "shape ID," "position at which the shape
is drawn," "size," "orientation," and "with or without fill" belong
to the attribute information associated with that kind information.
The shape ID is an identifier for specifying a shape that is to be
drawn. For example, the shape ID is an identifier for specifying a
shape such as a circle, a triangle, or a star-shape.
[0056] When the kind information is a symbol, information
representing, for example, "symbol ID," "position at which the
symbol is drawn," "size," "orientation," and "with or without fill"
belong to the attribute information associated with that kind
information. The symbol ID is an identifier for specifying a symbol
that is to be drawn. For example, the symbol ID is an identifier
for specifying a symbol such as an arrow, a music note symbol, or a
postal mark.
[0057] The computer 3 outputs the generated figure data to the CAM
system 200. The CAM system 200 generates a machining path data as
described below based on the figure data, and outputs the machining
path data to the computer 3.
[0058] The computer 3 controls, based on the machining path data
generated by the CAM system 200, the drive mechanism 40 and moves
at least one of the grasp unit 10 and the holding unit 30. As a
result, the surface of the workpiece S on the holding unit 30 is
cut with the machining tool T grasped by the grasp unit 10 and the
intended figure is thus drawn on the surface of the workpiece
S.
[0059] Here, before the actual machining, a machining preview may
be executed. Machining Preview is a technique of presenting, in
advance, a figure or the like that is drawn, on the surface of the
workpiece S before performing machining. The machining preview can
be executed by the figure data generation program.
[0060] Specifically, the figure data generation program causes,
before the intended figure is drawn on the surface of the workpiece
S by the processor 1, a process of commanding the processor 1 to
make a machining preview of at least a part of the intended figure
to be executed by the processor 1 by projecting a beam of visible
light onto a position at which at least a part of the intended
figure is drawn. The process of commanding the processor 1 to make
a machining preview corresponds to the "sixth process."
[0061] Specifically, in response to the command of machining
preview, the computer 3 controls the drive mechanism 40 and moves
at least one of the holding unit 30 and the visible-light source 20
so that beams of visible light are projected onto positions
represented by the machining path data, on the surface of the
workpiece S, by executing the figure data generation program. Thus,
by the beam of visible light projected onto the position at which
the intended figure is drawn, on the surface of the workpiece S, a
machining preview is made. As a result, the user can view and
recognize the position at which the intended figure is to be drawn,
on the surface of the workpiece S.
[0062] Next, a specific example of machining using the machining
system 100 is described. A machining method is performed by the
machining system 100 and the CAM system 200. FIG. 6 is a flowchart
for explaining a machining method according to this preferred
embodiment. The machining method according to this preferred
embodiment includes steps of generating a figure data, generating a
machining path data, making a machining preview, and drawing a
figure.
[0063] In performing the machining method, the user chooses the
workpiece S and loads it onto the holding unit 30 of the processor
(loading of the workpiece; step 10). FIG. 7 is a diagram for
explaining the workpiece S in the machining method according to
this preferred embodiment. In this example, a rectangular character
frame Sf is provided in advance on the surface of the workpiece S.
The user makes/edits a character string or the like in the step of
generating a figure data so that a desired character string is
drawn inside the character frame Sf.
[0064] The step of generating a figure data (step 11) is to
make/edit an intended figure in the computer 3 in response to a
command input from the user. The step of generating a machining
path data (step 12) is used to generate a machining path data in
the CAM system 200 based on the intended figure that has been
made/edited. The step of making a machining preview (step 13) is
used to present, before actual machining, how the surface of the
workpiece S is machined in the processor 1. The drawing step (step
14) is, in the processor 1, used to draw the intended figure on the
surface of the workpiece S with the machining tool.
[0065] These steps are described in detail below.
[0066] The step of generating a figure data is described with
reference to FIGS. 8 to 14. In the step of generating a figure
data, the figure data generation program causes the computer 3 to
execute the above-mentioned first to fifth processes.
[0067] First, the computer 3 executes the first process in response
to a command input from the user and displays a drawing screen 3c
on the display device 3a.
[0068] In this example, it is preferable that a position
corresponding to the character frame Sf can be found in the drawing
screen 3c so that a desired character string can be drawn at a
desired position within the character frame Sf. This can be
achieved by causing the computer 3 to execute the second and third
processes.
[0069] In this example, the user designates a position Ps1 (the
bottom left vertex of the character frame Sf) on the surface of the
workpiece S. In response to the designation by the user, the
computer 3 executes the second process and commands the processor 1
to project a beam of visible light to the predetermined position
Ps1. In this example, the processor 1 displaces the position at
which a beam of visible light is projected along the broken line,
starting from the initial position and projects a beam of visible
light onto the position Ps1 based on the command from the computer
3 (see FIG. 8).
[0070] In this state, when the user depresses one button B of the
operation panel 2, the computer 3 executes the third process and
presents a position Pc1 corresponding to the position Ps1 in the
drawing screen 3c (see FIG. 9). In this example, the position Pc1
on the drawing screen 3c is presented with a diamond shape.
[0071] The user further designates a position Ps2 (the top right
vertex of the character frame Sf) on the surface of the workpiece
S. In response to the designation by the user, the computer 3
commands the processor 1 to project a beam of visible light onto
the position Ps2. The processor 1 displaces the position at which a
beam of visible light is projected and projects a beam of visible
light onto the position Ps2 based on the command from the computer
3 (see FIG. 10).
[0072] In this state, when the user depresses one button of the
operation panel 2, the computer 3 presents a position Pc2
corresponding to the position Ps2 on the drawing screen 3c (see
FIG. 11).
[0073] It should be noted that, in FIG. 11, in the drawing screen
3c, the rectangle with its opposite vertices at the positions Pc1
and Pc2 is depicted by a broken line. This rectangle is defined
based on the coordinates of the positions Pc1 and Pc2. Assuming
that the coordinates of the positions Pc1 and Pc2 be (Xc1, Yc1) and
(Xc2, Yc2), respectively, the rectangle has its vertices at (Xc1,
Yc1), (Xc2, Yc1), (Xc2, Yc2), and (Xc1, Yc2). The computer 3 can
present the position Pc2 and this rectangle at the same time. This
rectangle corresponds to the character frame Sf that is provided in
advance on the surface of the workpiece S.
[0074] In this way, after the positions Pc1 and Pc2 and the
rectangle with its opposite vertices located at these positions are
displayed on the drawing screen 3c, the user can make/edit an
intended figure using them as references. FIG. 12 is an example of
a shape made/edited via the drawing screen 3c. In FIG. 12,
characters F1 has been made so that they are drawn within the
character frame Sf, and a figure F2 has been made so that it is
drawn outside the character frame Sf.
[0075] The description that has been made immediately above is
focused on checking where a certain position on the surface of the
workpiece S is located on the drawing screen 3c in making/editing a
figure, by causing the computer 3 to execute the first to third
processes. The other way around, it may be required to understand
where a figure that has been made/edited is drawn on the surface of
the workpiece S. In particular, it is preferable in this example
that whether or not characters F1 are drawn at appropriate
positions within the character frame Sf can be understood, on the
surface of the workpiece S. This can be achieved by causing the
computer 3 to execute the fourth and fifth processes.
[0076] In this example, first, the user designates a position Pc3
on the drawing screen 3c (see FIG. 13). In this example, the user
designates the position Pc3 on the drawing screen 3c by moving a
cursor 3d to the position Pc3 on the drawing screen 3c and
depressing one button B (see FIG. 13). In this example of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dialog box 3e
indicating "move a laser pointer to here" is displayed in response
to the user's depressing one button B. In this case, the computer 3
executes the fourth process and detects the position Pc3 on the
drawing screen 3c which has been designated by the user.
[0077] Then, in response to the user's clicking the displayed
dialog box 3e, the computer 3 commands the processor 1 to project a
beam of visible light onto a position Ps3 corresponding to the
position Pc3, on the surface of the workpiece S. The processor 1
displaces the position at which a beam of visible light is
projected, based on the command from the computer 3 and projects a
beam of visible light to the position Ps3 (see FIG. 14). The user
determines whether or not the position Pc3 on the drawing screen 3c
corresponds to a desired position on the surface of the workpiece S
by viewing the position Ps3 at which a beam of visible light is
projected. If the user determines that the position Pc3 on the
drawing screen 3c does not correspond to the desired position on
the surface of the workpiece S, the user can edit the figure to
change its size and position.
[0078] The computer 3 executes the first to fifth processes in
response to a command from the user.
[0079] In the figure shown in FIG. 13, the characters F1 are a
character string which is a sequence of alphabets "abc" of which
kind information is "character string." In this case, the figure
information is set such that, among those belonging to the
attribute information for the characters F1, the "character ID" is
abc, the "orientation" is landscape, the "font" is Gothic, and the
"with or without fill" is "without." The figure F2 is a star-shaped
figure of which kind information is "shape." The figure F2 is
filled with diagonal hatching as shown in the drawing screen 3c in
FIG. 13. In this case, the figure information is set such that,
among those belonging to the attribute information for the figure
F2, the "with or without fill" is "with." The computer 3 outputs
the generated figure data to the CAM system 200.
[0080] Next, referring to FIG. 15, the step of generating a
machining path data is described. At the step of generating a
machining path data (step 12), a machining path data generation
program causes the CAM system 200 to execute a step of generating a
machining path data based on the figure data. Specifically, the CAM
system 200 establishes a machining path for drawing a figure
represented by the figure data. Then, the CAM system 200 generates
a machining path data constituted of multiple point data by
extracting multiple two-dimensional (XY) coordinates on the
machining path that has been established.
[0081] In this example, "without" is set for the "with or without
fill" which is one belonging to the attribute information for the
characters F1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, machining paths
Pm are established along the curves of each character. In addition,
"with" is set for "with or without fill" which is one belonging to
the attribute information for the figure F2. Thus, as shown in FIG.
15, multiple closed machining paths Pm that are established one
inside another are assumed as the machining paths Pm. The outermost
path out of the multiple closed machining paths Pm have been
established along the contour of the figure F2. The multiple closed
machining paths Pm are away from each other with a fixed distance
between the adjacent machining paths Pm.
[0082] By the above-mentioned method, the machining path data for
the figure can be generated. The CAM system 200 outputs the
machining path data generated by using the above-mentioned method
to the machining system 100.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 16, the step of making a machining preview
is described. In the step of making a machining preview, the figure
data generation program causes the computer 3 to execute the
above-mentioned sixth process. The step of making a machining
preview (step 13) is executed before the intended figure is drawn
on the surface of the workpiece S at the drawing step (step
14).
[0084] In FIG. 16, the machining paths Pm are denoted by broken
lines on the workpiece S. In this figure, the position at which a
beam of visible light moving along a machining path Pm is projected
is depicted by a white circle.
[0085] During the step of making a machining preview, the user can
visually observe the position at which a beam of visible light
moving along the machining path Pm is projected. With this, the
user can preview the result of machining. In particular, the user
can check whether or not the intended figure is to be drawn at a
desired position on the surface of the workpiece S.
[0086] It should be noted that the step of making a machining
presentation does not necessarily project a beam of visible light
onto the entire machining path. For example, as to the figure F2, a
machining path may be projected only along the outermost path of
multiple closed machining paths Pm. Moreover, in the case that the
user judges, midway through the course of the step of making a
machining preview, that it is unnecessary to continue the machining
preview, the machining preview can be ended at that point by
manipulating the operation panel 2.
[0087] When the user judges, by the machining preview, that no
error can be found in the machining result, the step of making a
machining preview is ended.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 17, the drawing step is described. In the
drawing step, a drawing program causes the computer 3 to execute a
process of controlling the processor 1 based on the machining path
data and drawing an intended figure on the surface of the workpiece
S.
[0089] In FIG. 17, the machining paths Pm are shown on the
workpiece S. In the machining paths Pm, the portions that have been
machined by the machining tool T are depicted by solid lines and
unprocessed ones are depicted by broken lines.
[0090] When the machining of all machining paths Pm has been made,
the computer 3 causes the drawing step to be ended. The machining
using the machining method according to this preferred embodiment
is ended through the steps mentioned above.
[0091] The machining system 100, the CAM system 200, and the
machining method according to this preferred embodiment have been
described above. In this preferred embodiment, as the processor 1,
the processor 1 that cuts the surface of the workpiece S with the
machining tool T is used for the description. However, a processor
that cuts the surface of the workpiece S using laser projections in
place of the machining tool T can also be used. Accordingly, the
machining path data according to this preferred embodiment can be
applied to any of these machining methods.
[0092] In addition, this preferred embodiment has been described in
terms of command inputs to the computer 3 that are made via the
operation panel 2. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto and some or all of the command inputs can be made via the
input device 3b in place of the operation panel 2.
[0093] As described above, the figure data generation program
according to this preferred embodiment causes the computer 3 to
execute the first process of displaying the drawing screen 3c to
make/edit an intended figure; the second process of commanding the
processor 1 is used to draw the intended figure on a surface of the
workpiece S to project visible light onto a predetermined position
on the surface, the processor 1 having the visible-light source 20,
the predetermined position having been designated by the user; and
the third process of presenting a position corresponding to the
predetermined position in the drawing screen 3c.
[0094] By operating the computer 3 using such a figure data
generation program, it is possible to understand the correspondence
between a predetermined position on the surface of the workpiece S
which has been designated by the user and a position on the drawing
screen 3c which corresponds to the predetermined position.
Accordingly, it is possible to understand correspondences between
positions on the drawing screen 3c to make/edit figures that are to
be drawn on a surface of the workpiece S and positions on the
surface of the workpiece S. This allows users to correctly draw a
figure that has been made on the drawing screen 3c at a desired
position and in a desired area on the surface of the workpiece
S.
[0095] In addition, the figure data generation program according to
this preferred embodiment causes the computer 3 to execute the
first process of displaying the drawing screen 3c to make/edit an
intended figure; the fourth process of detecting a predetermined
position in the drawing screen 3c, the predetermined position
having been designated by the user; and the fifth process of
commanding the processor 1 to draw the intended figure on a surface
of the workpiece S to project visible light onto a position
corresponding to the predetermined position, on the surface, the
processor 1 including the visible-light source 20.
[0096] By operating the computer 3 using such figure data
generation program, it is possible to understand the correspondence
between a predetermined position on the drawing screen 3c which has
been designated by the user and a position on the surface of the
workpiece S which corresponds to the predetermined position.
Accordingly, it is possible to understand correspondences between
positions on the drawing screen 3c to make/edit figures that are to
be drawn on a surface of the workpiece S and positions on the
surface of the workpiece S. This allows users to correctly draw a
figure that has been made on the drawing screen 3c at a desired
position and in a desired area on the surface of the workpiece
S.
[0097] Furthermore, the figure data generation program according to
this preferred embodiment causes the computer 3 to execute the
first process of displaying the drawing screen 3c to make/edit an
intended figure; the second process of commanding the processor 1
to draw the intended figure on a surface of the workpiece S to
project visible light onto a predetermined position on the surface,
the processor 1 including the visible-light source 20, the
predetermined position having been designated by the user; the
third process of presenting a position corresponding to the
predetermined position on the surface, in the drawing screen 3c;
the fourth process of detecting a predetermined position in the
drawing screen 3c, the predetermined position having been
designated by the user; and the fifth process of commanding the
processor 1 to project visible light onto a position corresponding
to the predetermined position in the drawing screen 3c, on the
surface.
[0098] By operating the computer 3 using such figure data
generation program, it is possible to find a position on the
drawing screen 3c which corresponds to a predetermined position on
the surface of the workpiece S which has been designated by the
user. Furthermore, it is possible to find a position on the surface
of the workpiece S which corresponds to a predetermined position on
the drawing screen 3c which has been designated by the user. This
makes it possible to understand correspondences between positions
on the drawing screen 3c to make/edit figures that are to be drawn
on a surface of the workpiece S and positions on the surface of the
workpiece S.
[0099] Moreover, the figure data generation program according to
this preferred embodiment causes the computer 3, before an intended
figure is drawn on a surface of the workpiece S by the processor 1,
to execute a process of commanding the processor 1, such that a
machining preview of at least a part of the intended figure is made
by causing visible light to be projected onto a position at which
at least a part of the intended figure is drawn.
[0100] By operating the computer 3 using such figure data
generation program, it is possible to know in advance the shape and
position of figures that are drawn on a surface of the workpiece S
before the drawing step.
[0101] It is also possible to supply a program to a computer using
a non-transitory computer readable medium with an executable
program thereon, in which the machining program of the
above-mentioned preferred embodiment is stored. Examples of the
non-transitory computer readable medium include magnetic storage
media (e.g. flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives),
and CD-ROMs (read only memories).
[0102] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described above, it is to be understood that variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The
scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined
solely by the following claims.
* * * * *
References